The History Of Smart Fortwo


The smart fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater car manufactured by Smart Gmbh and introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. Initially named the Smart City Coupe, the fortwo has now entered its second generation, and in 2008 an all electric concept version of the model, the fortwo ed debuted.

The smart features a semi-automatic transmission without a clutch pedal. Input from floor-mounted shifter or optional steering wheel-mounted paddles controls a servo-operated clutch and sequential automated gearbox. The vehicle may be driven in automatic mode, though the shift points are not as smooth as in a traditional automatic transmission. In paddle shifter mode, the operator controls the shift points but cannot feather or adjust the speed of the clutch. Thus some skill, and a slight lifting of the accelerator pedal, is required to achieve a smooth shift.

Other semi-automatic transmissions have included the Volkswagen Automatic Stickshift, and Honda Hondamatic.

The smart car allows back-in parking in otherwise parallel parking zones; its length of 250cm (98.4in) equals the width of a truck or a regular parking slot, allowing two or three Smarts to park in a standard space reserved for a single car. However, this type of parking has been banned in Munich, Germany, amongst other places. Such parking in parallel-designated spaces is illegal in most U.S.A jurisdictions.[citation needed] Current model is 269 cm (106.1 Inches).

The smart features interchangeable body panels — whereby one car can easily assume a different look. To accommodate a licensing agent's notation of a vehicle's color, the fortwo is sometimes registered as 'silver' or 'black' based on the Tridion frame color, which remains constant regardless of the body panels.

Engine and fuel economy

The engine range featured turbocharged three cylinder motors. Originally, the base petrol engine had 599cc, but displacement increased to 698cc with an early restyling. It was available in 37kW (50hp) or 45kW (61hp) variants. The turbodiesel engine has 799cc displacement with 30kW (40hp). Engines are mounted in the rear of the vehicle.

Models

The fortwo is available with targa-style removable roof panels (originally city cabrio, now fortwo cabrio), introduced in 2000, and was restyled in 2002. Model variants include the base model Pure, sporty mid-spec model Pulse coupe, and luxury top-spec model Passion Cabriolet.

Special editions and concepts

  • Cdi:: has the world's smallest diesel engine uses state-of-the-art common-rail direct injection. With a consumption of 3.3 litres (NEDC) per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, it has the lowest current production car CO2 emissions worldwide, since Audi's and Volkswagen's retired "3 liter" cars, the A2 1.2 TDI and the Lupo 1.2 TDI respectively .
  • Crossblade: a 2002 limited-edition variant of the city cabrio, a roadster without a windshield, roof or conventional doors, limiting its use. Its weight was still 740kilograms (1,600lb). The Brabus-tuned engine developed 52kW (71PS) from its 599cc engine. After Robbie Williams purchased Crossblade number 008, smart began a marketing association with the British singer, using Williams to promote the brand.
  • Crosstown: a convertible with a foldable windshield based on the fortwo, was presented at IAA Frankfurt in 2005. No plans have yet been announced to bring this model to market.
  • Nightrun: includes instrument panels, steering wheel, paddles, shifter, Monoblock VI alloy wheels, leather seats and engine upgrade from Brabus. Edition Nightrun is only available with the fortwo coupé.
  • Truestyle: painted in metallic paint colour, ruby red, available in pure trim.

i-move: a special edition run of 70 fortwo cabrios, based on the passion cabrio specs with Brabus Monobloc VI wheels, Leather interior trim, and Lite White Panels. The Addition of an iPod cradle which held a special edition 20Gb G3 iPod, and an aluminium name plate on the dash confirmed its special edition status.

  • Forfun2 Concept: an off-road version of the fortwo introduced at the 2005 Athens Motor Show by Greek 4x4 Rally Champion Stefan Attart. The forfun 2 Concept combines the body of a fortwo with the chassis and drivetrain of a Unimog. It sports monster truck-like 26-inch wheels wrapped in 140 cm diameter tires and winding keys where the fortwo's rear wheels are supposed to be.
  • Brabus: In the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Smart introduced the Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo, It has 98PS (72kW; 97hp) of power and 0 to 100 km/ h takes only 9.9 seconds with top speed electrically limited at 155km/ h (96mph)

Introduced November 10, 2006, the second generation features slightly greater length and improved crash performance while maintaining similar styling.

Engine and fuel economy

The new 999 cc version 3B21 (2007 onwards) is produced by Mitsubishi Motors and it comprises normally aspirated (NA) and turbo versions. The NA 999 cc engine has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ RON) is recommended. It is rated at 71hp (53kW). The US NA 999 cc engine has a 10:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (91 Octane) is recommended. German tuner company Brabus, in a joint venture with Smart, has developed a version with 72kW (98hp) and 140N·m torque, available in Europe only at this time.

European Union (EU) testing rates the 999 cc Smart at 4.7L/ 100km (60mpg-imp; 50mpg-US) for the gasoline model and 3.4L/ 100km (83mpg-imp; 69mpg-US) for the diesel.[citation needed] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the vehicle at 36mpg-US (6.5L/ 100km; 43mpg-imp) combined.[citation needed]

Concept

The smart fortwo's length is 8ft10in (2.69m) (second generation).

An exposed, rigid steel frame, marketed as the "Tridion" frame, surrounds and protects the passenger compartment while defining the car's shape and design — and allowing for interchangeable plastic body panels to complete the exterior. With a weight of 730kg (1,609lb), it is one of the lightest cars in the European market.

Safety

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car marketed in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/ head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts. The Smart is equipped with seat-mounted combination side airbags as well as electronic stability control. To maximize the front crumple zone, the smart fortwo's engine is rear-mounted.

Hybrid

At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Smart has officially launched the microhybrid version of the ForTwo, a mild hybrid. The Smart ForTwo micro-hybrid has gone on sale in October 2007 in Europe. The micro hybrid system is claimed to provide a fuel efficiency improvement eight percent from 50miles per US gallon (4.7L/ 100km; 60mpg-imp) to almost 55miles per US gallon (4.3L/ 100km; 66mpg-imp). Carbon dioxide emissions drop from 112 to 103g/ km. The microhybrid sells for € 10,490 (incl. VAT).

Smart EV

For more details on this topic, see Smart EV.

An all-electric version of the fortwo, the fortwo ED (Electric Drive, renamed from the origin fortwo EV) , is testing in London . Superficially, it's identical to the standard 'Smart Fortwo coupé'. Production delivery is expected in 2010. It will feature 30kW (41hp) output and a top speed of 70 mph (112 km/ h). It will be capable of 0-30mph (0–48km/ h) in 6.5 seconds. The European fortwo ED can travel up to 72miles (116km) between charges. It typically takes around 8 hours for a full charge. .Tesla would be supplying the batteries for these cars . At the London motorshow in July 2008, Smart representatives gave estimates of the Smart ED purchase price to be around £16,000 (€20,000). It has been presented in the 2008 Paris Car Show.

BRABUS

It is a sport package that include a sport exhaust with dual center tips, sport suspension, 15- front and 17-inch rear wheels, power steering and all the BRABUS visual cues. The originally planned turbocharged engine was not included. It is available in cabriolet or coupe variations, the latter equipped with a glass panoramic roof, and a choice of two colors, metallic silver or deep black.

The 2009 Smart Fortwo Brabus has MSRP of $17,990USD for the coupe, and $20,900USD for cabriolet. The Canadian models cost $21,900 for coupe, and $24,900 for cabriolet.

For more details on Smart models, see Smart (automobile)#Models.

Australia

The Smart fortwo is available in Australia, in only the middle 'Pulse' range, and with the gasoline engine. As of April 16, 2007 the base price for the fortwo coupé is AU$19,900, and for the fortwo cabriolet is $22,900. The Smart fortwo is sold through selected Mercedes-Benz dealers.

Canada

The Smart fortwo was introduced in Canada in 2004 and sold through Mercedes-Benz dealers. Only the turbo-diesel powerplant was offered for the coupé and convertible models because of tough emission regulations for gasoline engines dictated by Transport Canada. Demand was initially heavy, with up to six-month waiting lists in major urban areas in the spring of 2005. The vehicle has proven especially popular for light errand running for small shops and businesses, with many carrying custom paint jobs or stick-on graphics boldly advertising the associated product or service.

In 2008, Canada only received the gasoline model because the diesel version does not meet 2007 emission standards. The fortwo carries a 1.0-litre engine that delivers up to 70horsepower (52kW) and a re-engineered automated-manual 5-speed transmission with a slightly larger body. It is not yet decided if any other engines will be offered by smart Canada in the future such as the micro hybrid or a future diesel model. At this point the 2009 model of the smart will continue to have the 70hp gasoline powererd engine. Despite the changes, the fortwo stills sells well in Canada, with some dealers saying they once again have waiting lists of people looking for the cars.

China

In April 2008, Smart first premiered in the China Auto Show 2008 in Beijing. On October 1, 2008, the Smart "vending machine" road show had the first stop in Shenyang (Isetan), and also started the pre-order period. The cost for reserving a Smart was 388 RMB.[citations needed] The price range of smart fortwo in China is 160,000 to 210,000 RMB.

There is a Japan-only variant called the Smart K which is the only non-Japanese car that fulfills the regulations for Kei cars.

United States

Modified imports

In early 2006, a specialty automotive import and engineering firm - G and K Auto conversions (GNKAuto.com) of Santa Ana California - after investing millions of dollars in testing and fees, received DOT, NHTSA, and EPA approval to sell a modified European specification Smart Fortwo in the US. The 23 modifications to the Smart Fortwo included DOT certified headlights, reinforced doors for additional side impact protection, an odometer that reads in miles rather than kilometers, and soft padding on the interior pillars and ceiling. Smart Fortwo dealers in the US were a mix of "green car" specialty companies (EcoAutoInc.com) and exotic car dealers. Approximately 1,000 model year 2004, 2005, and 2006 Smart cars were imported without Smart's or Mercedes Benz's cooperation and converted by G&K.

Made for US market

On 26 June 2002, Smart fortwo was exhibited at the new Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) affiliate P.S. 1 in Queens, New York for the first time.

In September 2006, Daimler AG announced that Smart USA, a division of Penske Auto Group, would be the official distributor for Smart in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The redesigned smart fortwo (Model 451) has been available since January 2008 in the USA. Numerous changes were made from the previous model (450). Its Mercedes Benz power plant was replaced by a non-turbo Mitsubishi 3B21 engine, the interior made more luxurious, and the overall dimensions of the car increased.

The US version of the smart fortwo is available in 3 trims: Pure (base trim), Passion, and Passion cabriolet. Pure has an MSRP of US$11,590, Passion has an MSRP of $13,590, and the Passion Cabriolet has an MSRP $16,590. A reservation program was launched by Smart USA in March, 2007. This program allowed interested parties to place a $99 refundable deposit on the new fortwo in preparation for the product's launch. Since the product's launch, sales have surpassed production and the reservation program continues as a "wait list" program. The average wait is 12 to 18 months for delivery.

The Smart Fortwo was rated as the most fuel efficient two-seater car in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, with fuel efficiency ratings of 33 mpg (US) city and 41 mpg (US) highway. The 2008 Smart Fortwo coupe was given an EPA fuel efficiency rating of 36 mpg (US) combined.

On May 14, 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released crash test results for the fortwo. The IIHS gave the fortwo top ratings in protecting passengers in front and side crashes. However, the NHTSA cited a Safety Concern on their tests of a 2008 fortwo, stating "during the side impact test, the driver door unlatched and opened. A door opening during a side impact crash increases the likelihood of occupant ejection."

Electric vehicles:

  • Toyota iQ
  • VW Chico



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More About Smart Fortwo


2008 smart fortwo Passion coupe (US)

Smart Fortwo

smart fortwo Cabrio

2008 smart fortwo (US)

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo